Yes, I'm competitive

We've established that I'm competitive. 

I like to win. 

Today my sweet cousin reminded me...

'Becky, Satan doesn't get to win. 

God wins...so that means we win!'

I needed the reminder as I sit in our fallen world. 

I really like being on the winning team, fighting in a battle where I get to be victorious. 

So take that Satan...I already know how this ends...And GOD wins! 

Oh. My.

worry wart

Want to know a secret about me? 

I'm a worrier. 

I come by it naturally...my dad was a worrier. 

Oh, and Im a sinner so I guess I come by it naturally that way too. 

I know some of you who know me the best out there are shaking your heads and saying, 

'uh, Becky, this wasn't a secret.' 

But it has been something I've tried to keep secret. 

I don't worry about the big stuff. 

I worry about little things. 

OR

things that MIGHT be or I simply can make things up to worry about. 

Truly very annoying...especially if you are married to me. 

Its not all the time.
Normally I really am upbeat and cheery. 

Thankfully.

Its really seasons of my life where Satan attacks with this worry.
And it can consume me. 

And its usually when I'm ready to make a big decision or we are trying to get something complicated figured out that could change things for us...

And Satan can blast me with worry. 

My mind swirls. 

I can get crazy...in my brain. 

And anxious. 

Oh the anxiety. 

I've felt it the past week and have known it needed to be nipped in the bud pronto. 

I have no time for it. 

And I dont want it!

I want to win this war before it starts this time. 

So tonight I talked with a very wise man...my brother Joe. 

I dont often call him that...

This man drove me INSANE as a child. 

I quite literally could not stand him. 

And it was mutual. 

But we're adults now and while we still have to maintain some strict rules between us when playing family games, we no longer hate each other. 

Right?! 

:)

Joe took me to Phillipians 4:6-7

'Do not be anxious about anything. 

But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which TRANSCENDS ALL understanding, will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

I've read those verses many times. 

But Joe started by saying, 'Becky, your worry is sin, you are not alone, and you can fight it by the grace of God.'

He pointed out that in these verses God tells us that if we give our anxiety, our needless worries, to God through prayer...then He PROMISES us a peace. 

And not just any peace, of course not, but one that TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING. 

A peace that can come upon us that we will never be able to explain. 

I've felt that. And I will feel it again. But I sure needed the reminder tonight. 

Joe also pointed out the word GUARD - and that its meaning in this verse is like that of a citadel...with very high walls...so that when we come to God with an attitude of prayer when we are tempted to worry, He will guard us with tall walls with that peace mentioned before. 

I love that. 

If I close my eyes I can see those walls. 

The fortress His peace provides. 

I needed the reminder through verses I've read many times, and Joe...to take my needless and no good worry, and give it to God. And His peace will be mine...the more I do this, the more it becomes habit to throw it on God...the easier I'll feel that peace. 

Its so true. And its nothing I dont already know. 

But Im awfully thankful that God gave me a wise brother to call when I need the reminder. 

(Even if he does cheat at cards.)

Yep. EXACTLY.

Happy 8th Birthday, Avery Elizabeth!

Why is it that my kids never keep the promises they make me about turning another year older? 

Again, without permission, my Avery had a birthday today. 

My Avery...is EIGHT!

8 years. 

Gone in a blink. 

Growing up seems to be a bit more mournful when its Avery. 

Probably because there has been no easier or delightful or happy little one as Avery. 

She has always been a joy to parent, a joy to be around. 

As she ages she is still a joy. 

A constant beam of happiness in our house. 

Truly, just a bit of total sweetness in our crazy house of maddness. 

However also with age comes a bit more seriousness. 

A bit more thinking about hard things. 

A bit more heart break when she feels too much.
She is easily crushed...whether it be by a rude mark by a friend or a scolding from her dad.
But thankful she is usually easy to bring back around too.
She worries a lot...just like her mom.

Avery, 8 years ago they laid my second born baby girl in my arms and I stared at you in wonder. How could you have been a girl when you were so very active in my tummy? How could you be so tiny and yet still so squirmy and full of movement as a new born? How could you make me feel so very very full of light when you were so young? 

You've always been our giggler, our dreamer, our adventurer and our picky eater!

Our thoughtful schemer.

Our one who cares to much how she looks and worries too much what others might think. 

Our fashionista and our dirty tom-boy.

Our grateful helper and our selfish last dessert stealer. 

A tattletale and a sneak.

A lover of fun and laughter. 

You are such a wonderful big sister. So full of affection and fun for your little sisters. 

You are sneaky and beautiful. 

Full of smiles and hugs. 

You are kind and funny. 

Your eyes go from the most beautiful deep deep blue to the most scary raging storms in the blink of an eye...we never have to guess if you are sad or angy, happy or elated! 

Sorry, sweetie you get that from your mom too! 

Avery when I have a bad day I want you by my side to brighten it. 

When I am feeling low you can bring a smile to my heart and a song to my spirit like no one else. 

Our dreams for you are limitless...but you have already made us the most proud parents. 

Thank you for the sunshine you've brought to us each and every day. 

You are 'A Very' Good Girl. 

And we love you more than words could ever say. 

Happy 8th Birthday Baby. 

Our hearts are yours. 

SCARY MOVIE WEEK!!!

Its no secret that Lauren is our scardey cat! 

So Jordan and the other kids (mostly Jordan) were excited to call this week, without Lauren,

SCARY MOVIE WEEK!!!!!!

They plan to watch a scary, non-Lauren approved movie, every night. 

Tonight's choice, Harry Potter #1. 

Here they are all excited and scary looking. 

I love that big kid in the black shirt a whole lot. 

picture perfect

My big girls and the sunset.

Lauren left for camp early this morning...she'll be spending some more time lakeside. 

We miss her already so I had to post this picture of her and Avery. 

Sunsets

Our last night gave us a gorgeous sunset.

Where's the BABY?!?!

One of the most used quotes on the trip was, 

'WHERE's THE BABY?!'

It became a joke but seriously this kid NEVER sits still and is into and on top of EVERYTHING!

I think Cassie got a big kick out of it until Paul found her down by the lake...dipping her toes in the water.

I found her here...

Really she did amazingly well the whole trip. 

She skipped naps, ate off schedule and was happy almost the whole time. 

She loved the water and the sand...she loved it all. 

I called the Ranger

So...when Jordan and I talked about he and the girls doing their early morning hike I assumed it would be 2, MAYBE 3 hours.
So when I woke up at 7:30 and read his note saying they left at 6:15 I thought I'd see them by 10 at the very very latest.

I think I started getting nervous and texting friends about 10:30.

Then at 11:30 when Cassie said Paul was recommending I call the Park Rangers I started crying. In my mind if PAUL wanted me to call it was serious...I mean it wasn't Cassie...it was PAUL! He's calm and rational!

I was really very worried. I had no idea if they took food and water...if they did I knew it wouldnt be a lot. I thought the girls would peter-out early.

So I called the Ranger. They were great. Took all our info, I read the note Jordan had left for them, gave descriptions ect. And they started to hunt.

Cassie was having visions of them turning around and coming back to sit with me for days as they searched. I had visions of Cassie walking hysterically into the Ranger station and my bawling as she hugged me.

Seriously.

Then magically at 12:15 in they rolled. SIX HOURS LATER!

And found me waiting in the driving way pretty much SCREAMING at them.

Went on to call the Ranger back...who assured me I had done the right thing in calling...

As Jordan's punishment I made him take Sullivan and Tess on a hike while the girls and I cuddled and napped ... this was a much shorter hike!

Honestly, Mr. Adventure stop striking!!!

One last night

We had to have one last camp fire by the lake on our last night.

Something about this picture...I know I look at it in years to come and my heart will hurt. 

Jordan and Lauren decided our last fire needed to be a big one!

I've termed this hair...'Yooper Hair' - messy, dirty, adorable. 

This video camera is like a constant attachment to his hand. 

Serious marshmallow roasting.

Love him. 

 More Yooper Hair!

She's so old. And was so very helpful the whole trip. 

 A little time to reflect. 

 Sweetness. 

Friday

Jordan wanted to get the older girls up and do an early morning hike on our last day. 

They were up with, or just before the sun.

Leaving about 6:15 am. 

They dont look it ... but they were so excited! 

They ended up on a 6 mile round trip hike to a new waterfall and beach. 

Totally worth their efforts. 

Lots of cliffs too along the way.

Loving their time with Dad. 

Hanging out. 

 Too cute. 

 More walking after the falls...to the beach area. 

 Some fighting over a walking stick. 

He said it was very good natured...which is why they love him..I never view it that way!

 Avery checking out the next scene.

This tree has his very own cliff...with roots that lead OVER the water and back to the mainland. 

Cassie, can you even believe we didn't all go here? 

 Seriously cool!

 From the other side. 

From the beach. 

 Skipping rocks. 

 This was AT the beach. 

Im sure they will never forget this time with their dad.

And neither will I...but for very different reasons...more on that later. 

Pictured Rock National Park 2012

LOVE. 

end of Thursday

We hosted Burback's at our place for supper and then sent them home to pack. 

Our time with them went so fast!

The kids were really bummed to see them leave so we headed in to town to distract them a bit.

There was some music in the park and we walked around to a war memorial.

Sullivan was convinced that they had this canon facing to Canada...'just in case'.

Really Sullivan? 

Then we did some more throwing rocks and another fire. 

Thursday

Yesterday was our last full day with the Burbacks and originally it was decided it would be a 'rent a pontoon boat' kind of day. However, the weather did not agree with that plan...it was too windy and we were not allowed to do it. 

So we turned it into a 'picnic and hiking' kind of day. 

The hike was a bit more intense.

Unpaved trail = more fun for the kids! 

We were constantly yelling at them to COME BACK! 

SLOW DOWN!

Really, all the kids hit it off SO well...tons of fun memories. 

Torrance got some more backpack time. SO thankful we had that thing!

The views were amazing.

We hiked right along the cliffs of Pictured Rock. 

Tess and Ayla were SUCH troopers. 

Never complained, always wanted to keep up with the big kids. 

More cute Tess

I couldnt really stop taking her picture.

It must be added:

Cassie and I headed back sooner than the older bunch...we took Tess and Ayla with us. 

We heard a LARGE ANIMAL sneeze. 

No idea what it was. 

But it was there...and we narrowly escaped.